Leaderboard

UPDATE We are in the process of building and testing 3 different models of the Solar Tracker. We will have a Solar Tracker designed to fit the Elite II, another for the Elite and the third will be a suitcase model. The Elite and Elite II models will be made specifically for Oliver Travel Trailers and should be easily mounted. The third model is a suitcase model that is designed to be set in the sun while your trailer remains in the shade. Like the other trackers, it will track the sun continuously as long as it can "see" the sun. Initial testing indicates the suitcase model will efficently capture the sun's energy throughout the day as will the other 2 trackers. The suitcase model is being built to have (2) 50 watt solar panels. They will be hinged to fold up and be stored. The solar tracker will be the same size as the folded solar panels. Each can be stored easily in your TOW vehicle. We have done significant testing on the tracker frames. We have strengthened the framework to meet/exceed safety requirements. I will soon post videos of the solar tracker in operation, the data we are collecting to indicate the efficiency of each tracker and how the tracker is mounted on an Oliver. In January 2020 we will be attending the Quartzsite RV Big Tent Show and have a booth inside to demo the trackers. We will be displaying a fully operational model and have each for sale. We currently do not have a price for each unit. We are sourcing raw materials and writing the app for each owner to operate the Solar Tracker. The tracker has a number of electronic components that are essential to operate the tracker automatically throughout the day, shut it down automatically if it senses movement (wind) or it can be done remotely. It will have a GPS and cell phone so it can immediately alert you and provide GPS coordinates if it (and the trailer) is being moved. Please check our website for updates. www.happycampersolar.com THANK YOU coy

For the most part these types of things in an RV are not really difficult to fix. They just take time to figure out what is wrong and then a little more time to actually fix it. You did all the right things - realized you didn't know what was wrong, asked for help, got a plan of attack aimed at finding the real problem and then executed that plan. Nice job! Bill

The current design is a lowering mechanism with 4 locks that can manually lower and lock the tracker in place. We are testing now to determine if 2 will be more appropriate.

Hey, all. Prepping to go full-time after my Elite II pickup in late April. I have a spec sheet provided by Oliver which has measurements but perhaps someone can share pictures of the various storage cubbies in their E2? The ones on the site really just show the doors of the cubbies but not the shape + contour of things inside. Even better if this prompted a discussion here from folks who have advice on what they've settled on for dividing/organizing the various storage cubbies. Nothing exotic planned for storage needs on my end: clothes, dishes, and similar. Thx!

Great work figuring it out!

Awesome! Well, awesome job by you, figuring it all out. That was a real mess in there... Thanks for letting us know your results. Muppy, sorry I didn't get back to you yesterday, as I had a super busy day. By the time I looked back, Dave S had already given you the link. Now, hopefully, you'll get to do some camping before the campgrounds shut down for winter! Sherry

Hey Everyone! We have success! Holy sheep do..do! This has been like this for a while. we filled the fresh water tank until it came out of the overflow. We removed all of the drawers on the left under the sink. (Thank you for the directions) removed the piece of wood held by four screws...(which by the way were three times the width of the wood in length sticking into the pex area. ) It was soaking , dripping wet and apparently has been for quite some time. The sinks black drain /elbow WAS COMPLETELY UNDONE, UNSCREWED AND SEPERATED! it was like it had never been put together. Everything was soaked, including the electrical outlet under there! (Assuming it is to the fridge.) Put it back together and tightened it as tight as hand tight can be. Ran the kitchen faucet with the water pump. NOTHING CAME OUT OF THE DRAINAGE AREAS CURBSIDE!! Yahoo!!! (pictures for your enjoyment) more tests will follow with the city inlet,( COMPLETED CITY INLET TEST AND IT IS A-O.K.) but we believe we found the culprit. (POSITIVE WE DID).? Thanks All, Muppy (John And Cheryl)

To avoid further confusion, the Dexter axle owner's manual list all their part numbers for each weight axle. Take all the numbers for a 5000# axle, go to Rockauto.com, and do part number searches for each of these Dexter numbers. The returns will list comparable manufacture's parts. Most if not all the specs will list country of origin. If "Made in China" bearings are undesirable, select the US made Timken brand bearings and National seals.

Gentlemen, Appreciate all the advice and information. I have abandoned this endeavor based partly on your advice and partly on me knowing it wasn’t really a good idea from the start. John, thanks for nailing down all the reasons the Ford can’t fill the off road gig. I love your Toyota, and I think I’ve mentioned that I am a Toyota guy at heart, but my Tacoma wasn’t down for the part of tow vehicle due to our regular excursions being above 4000 feet (just because it’s legal doesn’t mean we should do it). I think I’ve realized over the last year or so that there will never be a Swiss Army solution for camping/off roading/towing for my needs. While a Land Cruiser is certainly capable, it will never pull a Rocky Mountain pass with the ease that a 3/4 ton diesel can. A Raptor might have filled the niche but is too big for my needs on the trail and I am not certain that the 3.5 will be up to the task of 100k miles plus of towing over the next 5-7 years. The diesel Wrangler was high in the list, but the 3.0 issues the Ram saw steered me clear, and 300-400 mile days in a Wrangler pulling Oliver doesn’t sound as relaxing as it is in my Ford. The closest all around solution was the LC200 but I have reservations on pin-striping a $75k rig? (I’d be sold if we could get the diesel, though?). I have a side by side on a bed deck that we pull the Oliver with, but I think my wife is less then thrilled with it, thus my scatter brained idea of double towing. The helmet, dust, and my high speed habits might have helped her negative bias. I’m deployed currently, so I have ample time to research, and it just gets me in trouble. I’ve been looking at Renegade class Cs but the longevity and quality just isn’t there yet. I think that in the end, I am a fan of buying purpose built solutions that LAST. -Oliver for camping -ATV for off roading -Diesel 3/4 ton for pulling Unless you guys give me any other ideas?, I mean that’s how I got the Oliver. Last deployment I stumbled upon this group and a year later we had one...and to my surprise the wife actually endorsed that idea! Again, appreciate all the advice, cheers!

Thanks Jason, I did talk with Jason in the service dept. and he is sending me a new module for the water heater. trainman

Thanks Sherry, I did contact Oliver Service and talked with Jason again and he is sending me a new board for me to install in our new Oliver. I feel it's only right for Oliver to correct the problem and they are doing just that, so sending a new board is the correct thing to do, thanks Jason at Oliver. The only thing I know about Suburban water heaters is that our Casita had one and to me it looks to be the exact same one as in the Oliver, it never gave a problem all the time we owned the Casita. I will plug in the new module and see what happens, for the time being I just hope it was a isolated incident. trainman

Muppy, SeaDawg's suggestions are really good. To access the pump and the plumbing you do not need to remove the drawers, but lift the curbside access hatch beneath the bed. The pump and valves are right there. My experience with a plumbing leak, in this thread, may be useful to you. You would need to remove the drawers if you wanted access to the kitchen sink plumbing, and that is covered in this thread.

Overland, Wow, great ideas! How are the storage nets attached ? Can they be purchased easily? I really like them. so many great things, so little time,LOL Muppy

This one appears to have been dropped from my last post. These are stacking bins for produce in the cubby next to the pantry.

We've been full timing in our Oliver since Nov of 2017. Here are some pics of storage solutions that work for us. It took a while living in the Ollie to really determine how we would use the space so I would caution you to give yourself some time. [attachment file=0311191047.jpg] [attachment file=163145] [attachment file=163148]